What happens during a visit to a mental institution?

Question

I want to know if it is dangerous for a teenager to go there for thoughts of suicide.

Answer 1

Honestly, for me it was pretty miserable.  I think you need to do a thorough search and find a good place, because the free places / public hospital psych wards are terrible.

I was locked in a county psych hospital, and it was so overcrowded that I had to sit in a chair for 48 hours before they figured out what to do with me.  This was not ideal, watching people being drug in in handcuffs by the cops, screaming, yelling, drooling, horrible.

Now I have insurance, and my current psychiatrist works at a very nice, very clean hospital with a fantastic psych ward.  I think you should really do some research, and not just take the teen to the ER, take him/her somewhere that you've actually seen yourself.

There is nothing dangerous about a private hospital.  Public hospitals are where the criminals go, and where the dangerous people go, and where I landed.  Private ones are usually almost like a vacation.

Answer 2

The part about getting drugged is not to far from the truth. When i went into the nut hut I was given an anti psychotic almost right away. It made you feel weird and be very sleepy. The place I was at didn't have much for psychotherapy it was basically a locked ward in a hospital where they handed out drugs of all sorts...legal ones of course. You eat three meals a day. There is normally a tv room and sometimes you get occupational therapy which is basically a place where you draw pictures. So to answer your question I would say that it's generally not dangerous to be in such as place, but sometimes the patients there are so you have to be careful which means don't shoot your mouth off and stuff like that.  

Answer 3

It is definitely safe for anyone to be admitted to a mental hospital.

From my experience having been a therapist in several different states, having worked in almost 15 hospitals, they are all safe. The workers are there because they want to help. The horror stories that people tell, the things you see in movies, these things do not happen! Some of them did happen in 1890-1950 but not any more.

They do not drug everyone. Those that are dangerous sometimes are medicated so that they will not hurt anyone. They are still able to function, they are able to do everything that anyone else can do, they just are milder than what they were.

Depending on where the teenager goes, they usually have separate units for the adolescents and adults. Males and Females do not sleep in the same quarters.

If the teenager were to go to an ER for the thoughts of suicide, they would be evaluated by a doctor or another professional. If the teen is found to be a danger to themselves (serious about suicide) they will be admitted to a psychiatric ward. Once there they will be asked questions, to get an idea of what their life is like. Then they will be shown their room and where things are on the ward.

Most of the hospitals will have group therapy, individual therapy, meet with the psychiatrist, have some free time everyday. This is intended to help the patients gain skills so that they are able to re-enter society.

In the US, stays generally are no more than 10 days. If a longer stay is need the patient will be taken to an inpatient treatment facility. This is different because there is more focused treatment. In the hospitals they are usually set up to deal with general issues.

I hope that this helps.

If the teen is you, please do not dely going. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Best Wishes!!!

EDIT -

If you have gone voluntarelly (or your parents took you there) all you need to do is let the staff know that you are feeling better and want to go home. You might need to do some convincing (tell them that you are no longer suicidal and what you will do if those thoughts come back - such as calling a crisis line or going back to the hospital) but they legally will have to let you go. If you are under 18 and your parents took you, let them know you are ready to go (again convince them the same way as the staff) your parents will tell them you are ready to go home and you can.

If you are feeling suicidal you should go get some help. There will be a totally different outlook if you do get help. Then you might be able to deal with the underlying issues so that you do not end back to this point.

Answer 4

I would think there would be a section for younger people and they would not be with the older clients.  I also think they would be on watch so they do not do something to theirselves and they would be helped so they would get over these feelings.

Answer 5

From what my friend tells me, they drug you and encourage you to share your feelings with others.  Then they release you and make a doctor's appointment for more meds.

EDIT:  

Well, all these doctors think that a person who is suicidal needs to be on meds, usually for depression.  I think you do have the right to refuse the medication.

Answer 6

You have to be admitted first.  If you don't have insurance they might really want to make sure your serious.  Then if you convince a nurse practitioner you are suicidal, they will allow you to commit yourself for 96 hours.  You will watch movies for a week, get some medication.  See a psychiatrist for 5 mins a day so you can whine for some anxiety medication.  And you will eat fairly decent hospital food.  Then you will leave with some prescriptions.  You will enjoy your freedom from the institution, but have fond memories of some of the people you met.  Or you might see someone go nuts and hit a nurse if you happen to get in a group that are volatile.  It's always a little different of a scene.  During the day you will have psychotherapy where you can share your thoughts.  You can ask the psychiatrist for some Xanex or Valium, and you might get a month or two of it when you leave.  But don't rely on it to much, because it is addicting, and hard to obtain from many physicians.  Best of luck, and take care of yourself.

The drugged part, well SSRI's are not for me.  And anti-psychotics make you fat, and sleep and sick.

Valium and Xanex are the only things I've liked because they made me feel a little courage.  Wellbutrin doesn't do to much harm in low doses, and it won't make you as sick.  So ask for it for your serotonin level.  Believe me all anti-depressents suck, but you have to be on one.  It's the rules.

They drug people out because that is part of their treatment.  They believe that parts of your brain are chemically imbalanced, and that you need to have something to make you feel happy, and maybe to help your nerves.    

The psychotherapy groups are to let you express your feelings, and try to work towards a goal for when you are released.

But please don't be silent.  Tell your school counselor your feelings.  These are not completly abnormal thoughts for many teens, you are at a point where you don't know where you are going with life.  I say eduction is the right path.  Look for a relationship that is healthy when you are older.  Plan a life that is free from alcohol, hardcore drugs and violence.  Learn to love yourself.  Remember your body is a temple, and treat it as such.  Get the help you need now so that your 20's will not be a blur, or a disaster.      

Find a religion to help you with your spiritual side.

I wish the best for you.

Edit: My first time I was put in a different town, I was shy and they were all mean.  The second time I was in a lock down because I cut up my arms.  The other times I was less shy and found it ok to talk to everyone and whine for Valium.  I hope to stay out of them from now on.  I was in one in early May though, or late April.  I'm in therapy.